Alfred vs Keyboard Maestro: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Alfred and Keyboard Maestro side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Alfred leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Alfred
Productivity app for Mac with custom workflows and shortcuts
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
Keyboard Maestro
Automate your Mac with powerful macros to boost productivity and efficiency.
Best for you if:
- • You want highly versatile automation capabilities
| At a Glance | Alfred | Keyboard Maestro |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan | From $25/mo Upgrade to Version 11 plan |
Category | Productivity File Management | Productivity Workflow Automation |
Rating | 3.8/5 G2 4.5 · Capterra 2.8 47 reviews | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | Mega Supporter only adds lifetime upgrades, no extra features | n/a |
Choose Alfred or Keyboard Maestro?
Choose Alfred if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want best Mac launcher
- You want powerful workflows
Choose Keyboard Maestro if
- You want highly versatile automation capabilities
- You want one-time purchase, no subscription
In-Depth Analysis
Alfred
Productivity app for Mac with custom workflows and shortcuts
At $34 one-time for the Single License, Alfred offers exceptional value for power users who rely on workflows and clipboard history.
Watch out
Mega Supporter only adds lifetime upgrades, no extra features
Strengths
- Pro: Best Mac launcher
- Pro: Powerful workflows
- Pro: Clipboard history
- Pro: Snippets
- Pro: One-time purchase
Weaknesses
- Con: Mac only
- Con: Powerpack paid
- Con: Learning curve for workflows
- Con: Raycast catching up
- Con: UI dated
Key features
Keyboard Maestro
Automate your Mac with powerful macros to boost productivity and efficiency.
Keyboard Maestro's pricing is exceptionally fair and generous, especially with its one-time purchase model at US$36 for version 11.
Strengths
- Pro: Highly versatile automation capabilities
- Pro: One-time purchase, no subscription
- Pro: Active user forum for support and ideas
- Pro: Significantly improves Mac productivity and efficiency
- Pro: Free trial available
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires macOS 10.13 or later
- Con: Learning curve for complex macros
Key features
Plans and prices: Alfred vs Keyboard Maestro
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Alfred |
| alfredapp.com read Oct 2, 2026 |
| Keyboard Maestro |
| keyboardmaestro.com/pricing read Oct 19, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Alfred pricing and Keyboard Maestro pricing.
Key Takeaways
Alfred
- Has a free plan
Keyboard Maestro
- Choose if you want automate your Mac with powerful macros to boost productivity and efficiency
What the data shows
On the data below, Alfred leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Only Alfred has a published user rating (3.8/5 from 47 reviews); Keyboard Maestro has none we can show.
- Keyboard Maestro starts at $25/mo; Alfred has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only Alfred has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Alfred and Keyboard Maestro compare in 2026?
On the data below, Alfred leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Only Alfred has a published user rating (3.8/5 from 47 reviews); Keyboard Maestro has none we can show. Keyboard Maestro starts at $25/mo; Alfred has no public paid plan price on file. Only Alfred has a free plan.
What are Alfred and Keyboard Maestro used for?
Alfred: Productivity app for Mac with custom workflows and shortcuts. Keyboard Maestro: Automate your Mac with powerful macros to boost productivity and efficiency.
What does Alfred cost vs Keyboard Maestro?
Alfred has no public paid-plan price on file. Keyboard Maestro's cheapest paid plan is Upgrade to Version 11 at $25/mo. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 19, 2026.
What's the main difference between Alfred and Keyboard Maestro?
Alfred's main strength: best Mac launcher. Keyboard Maestro's main strength: highly versatile automation capabilities.